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| Pronunciation |
|
 (sa
KWIN a
veer) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Fortovase®;
Invirase® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antiretroviral Agent, Protease Inhibitor |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to saquinavir or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have direct sun exposure without the use of sunscreen or
protective clothing.
- If you are taking any of these medicines: Terfenadine, cisapride,
astemizole, triazolam, midazolam, ergot medicine, lovastatin, or
simvastatin.
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|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used to treat HIV infection. It is usually taken with
2 other medicines.
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|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Saquinavir stops the HIV virus from increasing. It binds up an enzyme
that is needed for reproduction of the
virus.
|
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|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- The medicine must be taken exactly as directed.
- Take within 2 hours of a high calorie/high fat meal.
- Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit
juice.
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- Return to your regular schedule for the next dose.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose, stop taking medicine, or change brands without
talking with healthcare provider.
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|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Do not run out of this medication. Get it refilled today!
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Protect against sexual spread of disease. Use an effective method of
birth control. Talk with healthcare provider if you have questions.
- Breast-feeding is not recommended in HIV
disease.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
- Belly pain, cramps, gas.
- Feeling tired. Use caution in driving, doing other tasks or activities
that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Your body fat may redistribute to your trunk. Your legs and arms may
be thin but your chest, belly, back and face may have more
fat.
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|
| What should I monitor? |
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|
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store Invirase® in a tight container at room
temperature.
- Store Fortovase® in a tight container in the
refrigerator. Once at room temperature, Fortovase® is good
for 3 months.
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| General statements |
|
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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